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To the Distinguished Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,
I write to you with a deep sense of patriotism and concern for the peace, unity, and future of our beloved nation. The continued silence of Fulani leadership over the heinous acts being carried out by some herdsmen across various states in Nigeria is not only deafening but deeply disturbing.
From Benue to Enugu, from Plateau to Ondo, from the forests of Ebonyi to the farmlands of Delta, there have been countless reports of Fulani herdsmen destroying farms, raping women, kidnapping, and killing innocent Nigerians. These criminal actions have resulted in the loss of lives, destruction of livelihoods, and the deepening of ethnic tensions across the federation. Yet, those who are known to lead and speak for the Fulani ethnic group have said little to condemn these acts or to call their people to order.
It is worth questioning why Fulani leaders often remain silent when innocent Nigerians are slaughtered, only to speak out in protest when retaliatory actions occur against the perpetrators. This selective condemnation fuels suspicion and a belief among many Nigerians that the Fulani elite may be quietly endorsing or turning a blind eye to these crimes for political or economic gain.
A dangerous question now looms large: Could this be a deliberate agenda to destabilize farming in Southern Nigeria so that only the North controls the nation's food production? If this is so, it not only undermines the spirit of national unity but threatens our collective food security and economic stability.
It is no longer acceptable for the Federal Government and security agencies to act as if they are helpless or indifferent. The perceived partiality of the state in handling herdsmen-related violence has led to growing anger, mistrust, and calls for self-defense. If this is allowed to persist, we risk plunging the country into a full-scale ethnic conflict.
Therefore, we respectfully demand the following from the Nigerian Senate:
1. An immediate investigation into the silence of Fulani leadership—religious, political, and traditional—regarding the atrocities committed by their people. Their failure to openly denounce violence and support justice suggests complicity.
2. A national summit on farmer-herder conflict, to include victims, leaders from all regions, civil society organizations, and the international community, to address this crisis once and for all.
3. A clear policy and action plan to disarm violent herders, protect rural communities, and hold anyone—regardless of ethnic group—accountable for violence.
4. An appeal to the international community, including the African Union, ECOWAS, and the United Nations, to intervene where necessary with peace-building efforts, humanitarian aid, and monitoring of human rights violations.
The time to act is now. We must not wait until more lives are lost or the country descends into chaos. The Senate must rise above politics and ethnicity to save Nigeria.
May justice, unity, and peace prevail.
Signed,
A Concerned Nigerian Citizen
Chief Joe Daniels Umezulike.
7/04/2025
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